UNDERAGE DRINKING Statistics Negative Effects Related Problems How Underage Drinkers Obtain Alcohol Virginia Law

Statistics Young people use alcohol more than any other drug, including tobacco.Young people use alcohol more than any other drug, including tobacco. Drinking under the age of 21 is prohibited throughout the United States.Drinking under the age of 21 is prohibited throughout the United States. Despite the lack of enforcement, minimum-drinking- age laws have been effective in reducing many of the harms associated with underage drinking, such as –Despite the lack of enforcement, minimum-drinking- age laws have been effective in reducing many of the harms associated with underage drinking, such as – –Traffic fatalities & alcohol-related injuries –Assaults & other crimes

Statistics - cont. Recent surveys of U.S. high school and college students showed that one-half to three-quarters of high school students had tried alcohol.Recent surveys of U.S. high school and college students showed that one-half to three-quarters of high school students had tried alcohol. Two out of every three underage college students surveyed had drank alcohol in the past 30 days.Two out of every three underage college students surveyed had drank alcohol in the past 30 days. All high school, and most college students are under 21.All high school, and most college students are under 21. Most drink alcohol at least occasionally, and many drink frequently and heavily.Most drink alcohol at least occasionally, and many drink frequently and heavily.

Statistics - cont. The proportion of underage youth who drink has not changed over the last decade in the United States. If anything, they are starting to drink at a younger age, and their drinking patterns are becoming more extreme.The proportion of underage youth who drink has not changed over the last decade in the United States. If anything, they are starting to drink at a younger age, and their drinking patterns are becoming more extreme. Purchases across the country reveal that up to 90 percent of retail outlets have sold alcohol to underage buyers.Purchases across the country reveal that up to 90 percent of retail outlets have sold alcohol to underage buyers.

Negative Effects from Alcohol Young drinkers report a range of negative effects from alcohol, all of which can lead to troubled interaction with others, particularly police officers or other responsible adults who try to intervene.Young drinkers report a range of negative effects from alcohol, all of which can lead to troubled interaction with others, particularly police officers or other responsible adults who try to intervene.

Negative Effects Continued 1.Overconfidence and recklessness Excessive drinking may cause people to act in ways they would normally consider unwise or inappropriate. 2.Lack of awareness As people become intoxicated, they may not be fully aware of what is happening, and may not be able to figure out how to react to situations appropriately.

3.Aggression Drinkers may misread cues from other people as being offensive, and react violently. 4.Loss of control Drinkers’ motor skills may become impaired, and drinkers may also lose control of their emotions.

These effects often lead young drinkers to come into contact with police, either as offenders or as victims.These effects often lead young drinkers to come into contact with police, either as offenders or as victims. Alcohol use contributes to property damage, rape, and other violent crime on college campuses, and about half of college crime victims have been drinking before the crime occurs.Alcohol use contributes to property damage, rape, and other violent crime on college campuses, and about half of college crime victims have been drinking before the crime occurs.

Underage college students who drink heavily are more likely to miss class, fall behind in school, sustain an injury, drive after drinking, and/or have negative contact with campus police.Underage college students who drink heavily are more likely to miss class, fall behind in school, sustain an injury, drive after drinking, and/or have negative contact with campus police.

Related Problems Drunken drivingDrunken driving Acquaintance rapeAcquaintance rape Speeding in residential areasSpeeding in residential areas Disorderly conduct in public placesDisorderly conduct in public places Assaults in and around barsAssaults in and around bars House partiesHouse parties Rave partiesRave parties VandalismVandalism Noise complaints in residential areasNoise complaints in residential areas

Why Underage People Drink Many see drinking as a “rite of passage”Many see drinking as a “rite of passage” People develop beliefs about acceptability from their peersPeople develop beliefs about acceptability from their peers –Easier to be part of a group –Reduce tension –Relieve stress –Help to forget their worries –Increase their sexual attractiveness –Make them more socially confident People who attribute such benefits to alcohol are more likely to drink than people who believe drinking has more negative consequences (e.g., loss of control, legal troubles, health problems).People who attribute such benefits to alcohol are more likely to drink than people who believe drinking has more negative consequences (e.g., loss of control, legal troubles, health problems).

Many young people go out intending to get drunk. They intensify their drunkenness by drinking a lot very quickly. However, many get drunk when they misjudge their limits.Many young people go out intending to get drunk. They intensify their drunkenness by drinking a lot very quickly. However, many get drunk when they misjudge their limits. Many young people do not drink at all, or drink at minimal levels.Many young people do not drink at all, or drink at minimal levels. –Attachment –Commitment –Belief

Attachment Young people with strong ties to family, friends, and significant others tend to drink less. They have close emotional ties with others, and care about others’ expectations and opinions regarding their behavior.Young people with strong ties to family, friends, and significant others tend to drink less. They have close emotional ties with others, and care about others’ expectations and opinions regarding their behavior.

Commitment Young people who invest significant amounts of time, energy, and resources in conventional activities such as studying, working and participating in clubs or athletics tend to drink less than students who are not available for alcohol-focused activities.Young people who invest significant amounts of time, energy, and resources in conventional activities such as studying, working and participating in clubs or athletics tend to drink less than students who are not available for alcohol-focused activities.

Belief Young people who accept conventional values, obey society’s rules, and respect authority tend to drink less than those who do not.Young people who accept conventional values, obey society’s rules, and respect authority tend to drink less than those who do not.

Environmental Reasons for Underage Drinking Grocery and Convenience stores that sell alcohol for off-premise consumption.Grocery and Convenience stores that sell alcohol for off-premise consumption. Saturating environment with advertising on television, billboards, sporting events, music concerts, & in national and local newspapers.Saturating environment with advertising on television, billboards, sporting events, music concerts, & in national and local newspapers.

Environmental reasons - cont. Price promotions offer discounts for high- volume purchases.Price promotions offer discounts for high- volume purchases. Alcohol outlets (total beverages/ Drive thru - Brew the beach).Alcohol outlets (total beverages/ Drive thru - Brew the beach). Purchases such as kegs and cases are a cause for binge drinking.Purchases such as kegs and cases are a cause for binge drinking. Restaurants – happy hours, two for one, ladies drink free.Restaurants – happy hours, two for one, ladies drink free.

How Underage Drinkers Obtain Alcohol Obtained through three main sources:Obtained through three main sources: –Third party, legal age friends, siblings, and strangers. –Commercial outlets, such as stores, bars, and restaurants (often using a fake ID). – Home - from parent’s liquor cabinet without parents’ knowledge. – Home - from parent’s liquor cabinet without parents’ knowledge.

Where Underage Drinking Occurs Parties in private homes.Parties in private homes. Parties at outdoor venues such as beaches, parks, fields, or parking lots.Parties at outdoor venues such as beaches, parks, fields, or parking lots. College campuses.College campuses. Bars and restaurants.Bars and restaurants. Special events – homecoming, graduation, Halloween, Mardi Gras, and athletic eventsSpecial events – homecoming, graduation, Halloween, Mardi Gras, and athletic events

Virginia Law Unlawful for any person to drive or operate any motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent Unlawful for any person to drive or operate any motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent Persons under the age of twenty-one driving after illegally consuming alcohol with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 percent Persons under the age of twenty-one driving after illegally consuming alcohol with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 percent.

Virginia Law – cont Any person who purchases for, or otherwise gives, provides alcoholic beverages to another person less than 21 shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor Any person who purchases for, or otherwise gives, provides alcoholic beverages to another person less than 21 shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. as part of a “Zero Tolerance” policy, Virginia has enacted some of the toughest laws in the United States on minors caught driving under the influence of alcohol. as part of a “Zero Tolerance” policy, Virginia has enacted some of the toughest laws in the United States on minors caught driving under the influence of alcohol.

Virginia Law – cont. Code of Virginia § it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to operate a motor vehicle after illegally consuming alcohol. A violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor.Code of Virginia § it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to operate a motor vehicle after illegally consuming alcohol. A violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor. punishment includes loss of your driver’s license for one year from the date of conviction and a mandatory minimum fine of $500 or having to perform a minimum of 50 hours of community service.punishment includes loss of your driver’s license for one year from the date of conviction and a mandatory minimum fine of $500 or having to perform a minimum of 50 hours of community service.

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